Green geckos get greater international protection

New Zealand’s green geckos
will be given greater protection against smuggling following
a decision at the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) conference in Bangkok, Minister
of Conservation Nick Smith announced today.

All
nine species of New Zealand geckos listed in Appendix III
under CITES will transfer to Appendix II, making the export
of wild geckos from New Zealand for trade on the overseas
market without the proper authority completely illegal.
Those trading in green geckos who claim their animals have
been bred in captivity will have to provide concrete
evidence, making it much more difficult to launder poached
wild specimens.

“I’m thankful for the
overwhelming support that the international community has
given New Zealand in its efforts to protect our native
wildlife from smugglers. This increase in protection means
international authorities will have greater power to conduct
enquiries and investigate illegal activities. It will also
mean harsher penalties under international law for people
found to be illegally trading in our geckos,” says Dr
Smith.

“Green geckos are found nowhere else in
the world and have been targeted regularly in recent years
due to the high value placed on them by collectors
fascinated with their bright colour and striking markings.
The Government has responded by promoting tougher penalties
for smugglers caught on our shores under the Conservation
Law Reform Bill, which I hope to pass this year.

“It’s important we send a message that our
endangered wildlife is off limits and thanks to the
assistance of the international community we are now in a
stronger position to deter would-be smugglers from trying to
pilfer our valuable wildlife.”

New Zealand
submitted the proposal to the CITES Secretariat in early
October 2012. It was accepted by consensus at the
International CITES conference in Thailand and confirmed
this week.

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